Chapter 24: Practice…

Chapter 24: Practice...Ariana’s body refused to move. What was wrong with this man? Why did he keep acting like he was in control? "H... how about the lady... the one he got pregnant?" Her heart ached slightly as her eyes began to burn she wanted to scream and let it all out but h..how? Zavren’s lips curled upwards as he finally reached the room. He pushed open the door and moved with an unsettling grace. Approaching the bed, he lowered her down gently. Just as Ariana felt her body sink into the mattress, his touch vanished, leaving a cold space in its place. Her lips pursed upwards in tension. To her surprise, Zavren bent down. Her eyes widened as his large hands lifted her leg to remove her footwear. Her lips parted in shock. T-The Alpha King removing her... Impossible. Her heart warmed uncontrollably, and what made it worse—better—was how surprisingly careful and gentle he was. He did the same to the second leg, and she finally raised them so she could fully lie on the bed. No one would believe her if she told them that the rumored ruthless man was actually... Zavren’s lips moved slightly as he watched her, his gaze unreadable. His eyes dropped to her stomach before returning to her face. Ariana waited for him to leave... but instead, his hands moved to his shirt. Her eyes widened in disbelief as he began unbuttoning it, his smoldering grey gaze fixed on her golden ones. What... what was he doing? Wasn’t he supposed to leave? "I would not want you playing little stupid tricks and trying to escape from me—not like I’d mind the hunt," he said calmly. Ariana’s mouth fell open in shock. ’Stupid little—what?! This man lacked the most basic human etiquette... like manners!’ Zavren’s hands paused midway, and a slow, wicked smile spread across his face. Then he spoke again. "I will be sleeping with you tonight." Ariana’s face burned as she immediately moved her hands to her chest—even though she was still fully dressed. Zavren chuckled darkly. "Oh, you naughty little wolf. I meant the literal word. We won’t be doing what we did that night... at least, not yet." His words rolled off his tongue—dangerously seductive. Ariana’s heart hammered in her chest. Then... why was he undressing? She gulped as he reached the last button of his shirt and pulled it off. Ariana immediately sat up, her eyes flying wide at the jaw-dropping, drool-worthy sight in front of her. There he stood—Zavren. His chest perfectly sculpted, abs on full display like carved perfect art. Each ridge was breathtaking. His arms were muscled, every line taut and flexing with the slightest movement. Oh... Her gaze trailed downward until it landed right on— Oh heavens... His perfectly defined V-line came into view. Ariana immediately shifted her gaze, heat flooding her cheeks. ’Oh my goodness, Ariana. Of all places, why did your eyes land there? And... and why did they stay there so long?’ "Do you want to touch it?" Zavren’s voice broke through her spiraling thoughts. As his grey eyes roamed over her, he ran his hands through his dark hair. Her eyes widened even more as she realized his hands were now at his pants. W-What was he... She shot up from the bed, arms raised slightly at her sides, her hands trembling as she shook her head furiously. "This man... such a shameless bad man," she muttered inwardly to herself, scared he might hear her thoughts he was just too unpredictable. Zavren laughed—his voice echoing through the quiet room, emotionless and deep, yet so rich it made her knees wobble. "You’ve already seen me. All of me, sweetheart. Okay, how about you say hello to him? It’s been long, don’t you think? I promise, he doesn’t bite... he just moves." His voice rolled off with dark intent that could make anyone bend to their knees. Ariana’s eyes flew wider than ever. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and her neck turned crimson, the color rising all the way up to her ears. She looked nothing short of a red lobster. ’S... stop, please,’ she whispered in her head. Zavren finally relented, halting his teasing as he noticed any more and she might not be able to handle it. Who would’ve thought he’d meet someone this innocent? His lips curled into a smirk as he leaned in and spoke softly: "You know I’ll have to teach you a lot... but that will be when you become queen." Q..Queen? Her eyes stretched open. She quickly turned her face to the side, only to realize she was still standing atop the bed. How many times had she acted so unladylike in front of him? Embarrassed, she stepped down and sat, then laid back against the pillows. Zavren simply watched her, his eyes moving with amusement at her pretty little behavior. His eyes drifted to her slightly disheveled hair. Then, without a word, he climbed onto the bed and lay beside her. Ariana’s body stiffened as his scent wrapped again around her as her gaze flickered to his chest before she quickly looked away. Her heart pounded. "Tell me if you change your mind," he murmured. Ariana raised a brow, confused. "You silly little wolf," he added, voice turning husky. "If you change your mind, tap me here." He brought her attention to his chest with a slow, teasing motion and tapped it. Then, pulling back slightly, his voice deepened—rich, dangerous. "But if you haven’t changed your mind... tap me here." His hand drifted lower, resting near his pelvis. His eyes, lazy but burning, locked onto hers. Ariana didn’t understand why, but something about his voice—his boldness—sent a jolt through her. Her breathing grew shallow, she gulped lightly her thighs involuntary pressing together as her body warmed up. Zavren smirked, he reclined more comfortably, eyes never leaving her. "Go ahead. If you don’t... I’ll assume you want—" Before he could finish, Ariana moved, she sat up. But hesitation lingered. She didn’t trust him—not fully. Was this a trap? Was he testing her? His expression gave nothing away. Ariana moved hesitantly, her fingers lightly tapping him on his lower abs just as it did her eyes opened wide—she hadn’t expected it to feel this way: smooth and rigid. Almost without thinking, her fingers lingered as she rubbed the surface. Curious, she slowly began tracing the sculpted lines of his abs, like she was searching for something lost... or forbidden. Zavren’s pupils dilated at her touch, which burned through his body with pleasure—something surprising. He watched as she bit her lip, her large almond eyes filled with curiosity, her slender fingers moving...and all of it was maddeningly... Fuck. When her fingers poked one of the muscles, his pupils dilated further. Then she poked another. And another. A smile tugged at her lips—soft, unguarded. She was enjoying this. Entirely forgetting that this was a person... a man. Just as her finger hovered over the last one, Zavren suddenly grabbed her wrist. His jaw clenched as he looked at her, his voice cold but laced with restraint, his smoldering gaze burning as his steel-grey eyes darkened with raw intent. Ariana gasped. That look alone stirred something inside her. "Are you trying to seduce me, sweetheart? Because if you are... It’s working perfectly." His tone was slow, deep, dangerous—each word sending delicious chills down her spine. S... Seduce him? Panic flickered in her eyes. She shook her head quickly, waving her free hand in protest. Her cheeks, which had just started cooling, were now a deep crimson again. It was her fault for exploring. ’He said "tap," not trace!’ she scolded herself for getting distracted easily. Zavren laid there like the irresistible king of seduction. Flustered, she turned her face away, but Zavren gently pulled her back to him, his hands holding her chin as their gaze locked. It was like he was staring right into her soul. "You can’t just leave me like that," he said, his voice lower now—more intimate. "You started the seduction. It’s only fair I complete the assignment." Ariana’s lips parted, then closed again, unsure how to respond. Assignment? What assignment? Zavren’s hand slid to the back of her neck, guiding her until she landed gently on top of him, her palms flat on his bare chest. "Oh, so this is what you wanted?" he teased, voice dripping with amusement as his gaze drifted to her hands on his chest. Ariana’s eyes flew wide. No—no! This man knew exactly what he was doing. He made her succumb to him..That made it worse... and yet, her body didn’t want to move. It was like her body wanted this. Zavren’s smirk deepened. Watching her, he saw the way she yanked her hands away like she’d touched a burning kettle. But he wasn’t finished. His hand slid lightly down the trail of her back, stopping where her zipper began. He didn’t unzip her—not yet—but just the motion of his fingers tracing that line sent a shock through her body. Her toes curled involuntarily. Her mouth opened, gasping as her breath came faster. "You’re clearly yearning for me," he whispered, voice thick with knowing. "Go ahead and kiss me, Aria." Ariana’s hands flew to her mouth in shock at his words. K... Kiss him? The way he said her name—so silkily sensual—made butterflies explode in her stomach like fireworks. His warm mint breath ghosted across her lips. He was so close. Too close. He brushed her golden-blonde hair aside, hand slipping behind her neck again with possessive tenderness. "I’m the first man who kissed you, and I will be the only one to kiss you, fuck you, and touch you. Is that clear, Snow?" he spoke clearly, watching her reaction. Her body remained still, unmoving. As if under a spell cast by his eyes, she slowly nodded her head. He knew. He had known from the start. The way she’d looked at him that night... the way she’d frozen when their lips touched. That inexperience, that raw reaction—it had told him everything. And now, with dark satisfaction in his voice, he added: "Kiss me. Or... do you want me to be the one to initiate it?" His low voice rang through her ears as he pulled her in, his lips brushing lightly on her ear as he licked along her earlobe, softly biting it. Ariana’s lips parted as she tried to calm herself. "It’s only fair we practice now... for our wedding night tomorrow am I right?"